Chapter 915 Powerless (Part 1)
With Hitler being escorted away by several fighters, after a routine routine, the next topic eased. Zhukov and I are old acquaintances, so they don’t speak official words, but ask amiably, “How is it, Lida. How do you feel after becoming a military commander?”
Hearing Zhukov’s question, I quickly replied with a smile on my face: “Comrade Marshal. Since becoming the commander of the infantry army, I feel that I have a great responsibility on my shoulders. Therefore, every major decision I make must go through. Thoughtful.”
“Very good,” Zhukov said in agreement: “Although the 79th Infantry Corps is a newly formed unit, I still hope that you can quickly become a meritorious force like commanding the military division.” Here, he sighed and said regretfully, “As it is still impossible to tell the truth of this’Hitler’, it may not be possible to give credit to your army. By the way, for this matter, you can ask the commander of the front army, Vatutin or Has the commander of the army group Khalitonov reported it?”
“No, Comrade Marshal.” Upon hearing Zhukov’s question, I quickly shook my head like a rattle, and replied: “Because we cannot determine the true identity of the captured’Hitler’, in order to avoid unnecessary confusion, so I did not report to the two-level heads of the front army or the group army, so I jumped directly to report to you7.”
“Lida, although I don’t like my subordinates to report by leapfrogging, but in this matter,” Zhukov said here, paused for a moment, and then said: “I think you are doing it right, so I want to treat you Offer praise.”
When I heard him say this, I felt a trace of regret in my heart. Such verbal praise. It would be more economical to award our army a medal. In this way, I can also add an honorary title to the designation of the newly formed infantry army. Although there is an idea in his heart, he still has to say politely: “Thank you, Comrade Marshal.”
“Judging from the current situation on the battlefield, the German army will not be able to support it for a few days.” Zhukov continued to tell me: “As long as the Voronezh Front and the Southwest Front have a division, then the Germans on the east bank of the Dnieper will be either eliminated by us or driven away. Crossing the river, we will soon be able to launch a campaign to eliminate the Germans in Ukraine.”
I heard Zhukov speak so optimistically. My heart twitched violently, and I asked why everyone, including an excellent commander like Zhukov, would blindly and optimistically think that Manstein’s troops are vulnerable, as if we only need to stretch out our hands, the German army, a giant of foreign powers, will do. Like falling down suddenly?
Maybe it was because of seeing me thinking about it, Zhukov asked somewhat unexpectedly: “Lida, what are you thinking? I think you seem to be worried about something?”
I nodded, looked at Zhukov and said, “Comrade Marshal. Please be forgiving, are we too optimistic about the situation? Everyone agrees with optimism. The Germans have been beaten after our winter counterattack. Desperate, as long as we continue to attack, they will escape all the way across the Dnieper River. As for the counterattack, it is simply impossible.”
I thought that my words would arouse Zhukov’s alertness, but he nodded unexpectedly after listening, and asked, “Yes, judging from the current situation of the enemy and us, it is just like what you just said. The morale of the German troops in Ukraine has dropped to the extreme. Under the powerful blows of our two fronts, their collapse is inevitable. Don’t you think this is the case?”
“Yes, Comrade Marshal.” If there are certain things in front of other superiors, I will hide in my heart so as not to incur unreasonable disasters to myself. But in front of the familiar Zhukov, I had to say something: “Although Manstein is our enemy, I think he is an excellent commander. The troops under his command cannot be so vulnerable. According to the confession of the prisoners captured by our army, they received orders from their superiors. When they were attacked by our army, apart from leaving a small part of their troops to entangle with our army, the rest of the troops and technical equipment quickly left the battlefield and moved back. Turn into.”
After hearing what I said, Zhukov frowned and asked: “Lida, what do you mean by telling me these things?”
Seeing that Zhukov’s tone was full of suspicion, I quickly explained: “Comrade Marshal, I suspect that Manstein’s doing this was a huge conspiracy. It should be said that Manstein himself had made the German retreat on the southern front just for the purpose of doing so. Lure our army to go deeper and stay away from the logistics base. Judging from the current position of our army, his goal seems to have been achieved.”
“Come here!” Cui Kefu heard me say this, yelled at the side, and frightened me, almost thinking that he was going to ask someone to arrest me.
Following his shouting, an officer with the appearance of a staff member came over, raised his hand to salute, and asked politely: “Comrade Marshal, what instructions do you have?”
“Bring me a map!” Zhukov said loudly.
After the officer heard his order, he said with some embarrassment: “Report Comrade Marshal, the map is on your special plane.”
“Then what are you doing standing here?” Zhukov glared at the opponent, and then said sternly: “Hurry up and get a map.” The officer agreed, turned and ran off the plane to get the map Zhukov needed. went.
Zhukov’s plane was said to be a special plane, but it was actually a transport plane that had been simply modified. Not to mention that there was no luxurious desk, and even the seats were too crude. The environment there was nothing compared to here. Regarding Zhukov’s temporary office location on Hitler’s special plane, I welcome with raised hands. I immediately ordered Lieutenant Gretka to take someone to carry the injured Ike to the rear of the plane and clear up the vacated office area.
When Zhukov was sitting on the sofa by the porthole, I heard him mutter in a low voice: “Damn Hitler, the plane was so luxuriously decorated by him.”
I saw that Zhukov liked the plane very much, so I took the opportunity to suggest to him: “Comrade Marshal, it is a waste of this plane to park here anyway. It is better to let the pilot fly away when you leave later.”
Zhukov looked around the facilities inside the cabin and was silent for a moment. Then he asked: “The pilot on this special plane. Where is it now?”
I heard Zhukov say that. Knowing that he was also thinking about this plane, otherwise he would not ask the German pilots. I turned my head and looked at Captain Yushchenko who was standing next to him. He immediately stepped forward and reported to Zhukov: “Comrade Marshal of the Soviet Union, the German pilots were all killed by us in the battle.”
“Is it all killed?” Zhukov asked Yushchenko tentatively, and when he nodded his affirmation, he said with regret: “Oh. It’s a pity that such a plane requires at least two pilots to fly, and my special plane There are only two pilots on board. If they are driven by one, they may not be able to return safely to the last two planes. Alas, let’s forget it this time. Anyway, our troops won’t be able to successfully capture Zapo in a long time. Roche, then find a pilot to fly this plane back.”
The officer brought a map and a pile of reports that were said to be newly received. Zhukov looked at the battle report for a while, then frowned and looked up the current position of the troops on the map. After a long time. He called me to his side, pointed to the map and said to me: “Lida. It seems that your analysis is correct. Since the beginning of the winter counter-offensive, our troops have weathered the wind and snow on the road in winter. It advanced about 6,700 kilometers, and the roads and bridges along the way were destroyed by the Germans, making our army’s logistics supply base and airport far from keeping up with the advancing speed of combat troops. So far, after three months of fighting. The army’s troops were not only severely damaged, but also very lack of supplies and necessary air support. In particular, the situation of General Vatutin’s Southwest Front Army was particularly bad, with only 137 vehicles left in the subordinate rapid group of soldiers and the 4th Army of Tanks. Tanks, and because there is no fuel, many tanks in this cluster can hardly move.”
I silently listened to Zhukov’s description of the current situation of the enemy and ourselves, and did not express my own opinions, because I knew in my heart that Zhukov would take the initiative to ask me when he wanted to listen to my opinions. Before he spoke, I remained silent.
Zhukov saw that I did not speak, nor asked my opinion, and said straightforwardly: “The other units of the 6th Army are currently only tens of kilometers away from Zaporos. They will be under the cover of the 25th Army of Tanks. Launched an attack on Zaporos. Due to the current shortage of fuel and ammunition in the tank army, I ordered the army to temporarily stop advancing and continue to rest for a short while in place, while waiting for the supply of fuel and ammunition. Their attack will be the day after tomorrow. It will start again on February 19.”
In the evening, Zhukov’s special plane flew in the direction of Moscow, escorted by fighter jets. Watching the plane drifting away in the sky, I turned around and told Kirilov: “Comrade political comrade, summon all the battalion-level commanders for a meeting.” After that, I walked towards Hitler’s special plane, in the plane. Going to work is much better than working in a tent with ventilation on all sides.
In order to maintain unblocked communications with the troops below, I asked Lieutenant Razumeeva and some members of the communications company to also board Hitler’s special plane. After they finished the report, I gave the first order to Razumeyeva: “Comrade Lieutenant, immediately send a report to the group army headquarters, saying that after fierce fighting, our army successfully captured Zapo Roche’s airport, please command the headquarter’s instructions on the next step.”
After about ten minutes, Khalitonov’s call arrived. His order was simple, to suspend all attacks and rest on the spot. When the main force of the group army and the 25th Tank Army launched an offensive from the northeast of Zaporos, a force was sent north to cover the flanks of the friendly forces.
All the battalion-level commanders who could come to the meeting at the moment got on the plane, because the seats were limited. Except for the two commanders of Pantai Leyev and Gurtyev, and several commanders, the remaining battalion commanders had seats. All stand aside.
I read Khalitonov’s telegram and asked, “Comrades, you can tell me what you think about this telegram from your superiors.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Lieutenant Colonel Sergeikov stood up first and said loudly: “Comrade Commander, give this glorious task to our regiment. We promise to complete the task.”
“No, no good things can be taken up by you.” As soon as Sederikov’s words were finished, someone stood up to express their dissatisfaction. When I heard the familiar voice, I didn’t even look at it. I also knew that the fourth regiment commander Gaidar was speaking. He said loudly, “Comrade commander, we should leave it to our regiment to cover the flanks of the friendly forces. I promise you. As long as our regiment is there, we will never let the Germans threaten the flanks of our friendly forces.”
“Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, the task of your regiment is to ensure the safety of the airport. It is a heavy responsibility and cannot be arbitrarily transferred.” The second regiment commander, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, was speaking behind him. “This task is still entrusted to our regiment. Finish it.”
I couldn’t help but put a smile on my face when I saw my old subordinates fighting for the task. But when I saw Gurtiyev and his three commanders sitting in jeopardy, I felt a little uncomfortable. I said that several commanders of the Pantai Leyev Division were vying for tasks. You and Your subordinates are sitting in a daze like a clay sculpture and wood carving.
Kirilov, who is good at observing words, may have noticed the strangeness on my face, and coughed a few times quickly to stop the argument between Sederikov and the others, and then looked sideways at Gurtiyev and smiled. Asked: “General Gurdiev, which unit do you think should be sent to perform this task?”
Hearing Kirilov’s question, Gurtiyev quickly stood up from last night and said loudly, “Comrade Commander, I can represent all the officers and men of the 308th Division Do you have an opinion?”
It’s quite new to give me advice. I nodded and said with a smile: “Let’s go ahead, General Gurdiyev, feel free to mention any comments, you can talk freely here.” After speaking, I turned my head. He said jokingly to Kirilov, “No matter if you say it right or wrong, you will not be blamed, and we will certainly have some encouragement to change it.”
With my encouragement, Gurtiyev went on to say: “I think you look down on our 308th division. Whatever tough battles you encounter, you hand it over to your old army, but we always let our division serve as the reserve team. Or to perform some unimportant security missions. You must know that our division also fought **** battles with the Germans for several months in the defense of Stalingrad. All the surviving commanders and fighters were good. No war would fight in this way. If they do, it will hurt their self-esteem. Therefore, I firmly request that our division go north to perform this mission of covering the friendly forces.” (To be continued.)
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